Improvement in vehicle-springs



c. m. MURCHf Vehicle-Springs.

No.15l,999, PatentedJune 1-6,1874.

FIG.1.

J Y f; 1r 1f W ITNESSES V INVENTOR I By M Attorneys AMIHUW-UI/IMRIPI/lt' Co. Al. I wsam/vs's M00555.)

spring is used.

to the body-support B, by means of bars D UNITED STATES PATENT CFFICE.

OHAUNOEY M. MUROH, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN VEHICLE-SPRINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 151,999, dated J nne 16, 1674 application filed April 23, 1874.

To all whom it may concern..-

Be it known that I, GHAUNoEY M. MURCH, of Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Vehicle-Sprin gs, of which the following is a specification:

' My device in its complete form constitutes what I term a platform-spring adapted for sustaining heavy loads with great sensitiveness. It is made up of a series of steel bars bent into suitable bow form, each being rigidly clamped by its two ends to a body-sup port, and clipped by its center to the axle, or attached in any other analogous or equivalent manner to suit the particularstructure of the vehicle in connection with which the One or more plates are applied' under the center of each spring-bar to equalize the bending.

Figure 1 is a plan of the platform-spring partly in section. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same on the line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an end elevation. Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line 4 4., Fig. 2.

A and B may represent, respectively,. an axle and a body-support of any common or suitable construction. 0 C O are the primary springs consisting each of a steel-bar bent into the bowed form clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The ends are then securely clamped 7 and rivets or bolts E, or by other adequate means. By their central portions these springs are clamped between a pair of bars, F G, held together by rivets or bolts H. A short bar or plate of steel, I, is placed beneath the center of each spring 0, to equalize or distribute the fiexure, the bar F being notched or gained to receive them. The notch or gain at each extremity is made of suflicient depth to receive in addition the center of a double re-cnforce spring, J the pyriform-loopsj j at the eXtremities of which fit within the bows of the end springs O, to which they are applied. Notched keepers K prevent the escape or displacement of the pyriform ends j of the springs J. The bars F Gare together secured to the axle A, by clips L, or other means. From an examination of the curvature and attachment of the springs O, as represented in Figs. 3 and 4, it will be seen that the load is applied to the spring at a point within or beyond the point of greatest curvature, so that the weight acts to bear the spring directly downward Without end play or the slippage of one part on another. The motion of the spring is thus all within itself, avoiding friction. The use of a series of bows arranged, as shown, gives great sen sitivencss, and adapts the combined spring to yield promptly to the slightest movement while supporting a veryheavy load. The range or series of sprin gs supporting the body at short intervals, possess great mobility in proportion to strength. Thepyriform re-enforcesprings J j, give the requisite additional strength and stiffness at the ends to properly equalize and distribute the resistance in proportion to the relative pressure at the different parts.

The combined spring possesses great strength in proportion to the weight of metal, and great mobility and sensitiveness in proportion to its strength.

I claim as new and of my invention- The series of elastic bows, combined with a vehicle axle and body-support to constitute a platform-spring, substantially as described.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand.

OHAUNOEY M. MUROH.

Attest GEO. H. KNIGHT, ()CTAVIUS KNIGHT. 

